Stern action to be taken against Indian Fishermen trespassing on Sri Lankan waters

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The government of India said to be planning "deterrent" action against Indian fishermen violating international waters with Sri Lanka, finding that trawlers and ships from the continent are the biggest source of confrontation.

According to the Times of India the decision to slap penalties and even suspend

the licenses of fishermen who are repeat offenders of the International Maritime Boundary Line stems from their refusal to heed the earlier warnings.

Foreign minister Salman Khurshidspoke to his Lankan counterpart G L Peiris on Friday, seeking the release of 26 Indian fishermen in Colombo's custody.

In response Minister Peiris had requested for a meeting between the fishermen's associations of the two countries to resolve the issue.

The move to rein in the Indian fishing community seeks to address a major flashpoint between New Delhi and Colombo, threatening the diplomatic detente besides emerging a polarizing issue in Tamil Nadu politics.